Metro cop foils car theft

Johannesburg - An Ekurhuleni metro police equestrian unit officer has arrested a car thief he caught in the act, a spokesman said on Friday.

The officer arrived at a relative's house on Thursday afternoon to find a thief fiddling with the dashboard in his mother-in-law's car, said Chief Superintendent Wilfred Kgasago.

The thief quickly took off his gloves and ran to a silver Ford Focus parked nearby with his accomplices inside, he said.

“Realising that a potentially dangerous situation was developing, the metro police officer was compelled to give a warning shot,” said Kgasago.

The car drove off without the fleeing thief, who slipped and could not get in. He tried to run away instead.

“Fortunately, back-up arrived and the suspect was chased down Voortrekker road and apprehended,” said Kgasago.

Another vehicle, a silver Ford Fiesta, was also seen speeding from the scene. Police believed the car belonged to a group of car thieves.

The man arrested was taken to the police station.

“On checking the suspect's profile at the police station, it transpired that he is a wanted man from Katlehong with a string of (cases of) hijackings, attempted murder, business robberies, theft of motor vehicles and theft from vehicles,” said Kgasago.